Raven Rock State Park »&nbsp Ecology

Alert: To visitors using a GPS to locate the park...Alert: East and West Loop Bridle Trails are OPEN...Alert: Family Wilderness Campground is CLOSED...
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Due to conditions beyond our control, online and mobile navigation software is not directing visitors to the correct areas of the park. DO NOT set your navigation to "Raven Rock State Park".

To reach the central area of the park and hiking trails, we suggest using the address exactly as typed: 3009 Raven Rock Road, Lillington, NC, 27546 or GPS coordinates: 35.459259, -78.912911

To reach the bridle trails, we suggest using the address exactly as typed: 1550 River Road, Fuquay Varina, NC 27526 or GPS coordinates: 35.484444, -78.903324

Raven Rock State Park has created a list serve for updates on the East and West Loop Bridle Trails. These updates will only be sent when the trail status changes. If you are interested in receiving emails of bridle trail status changes please call the park office and leave your preferred email address at 910-893-4888 extension 107 or email raven.rock@ncparks.gov

The Family Wilderness Campground is CLOSED until further notice. Canoe-In Campsites and Group Campsites are still open and available for hike-in camping.

One of the best reasons to visit Raven Rock is the exceptional beauty of its wildflowers. A variety of
species reveal magnificent blossoms in early spring. Look over patches of Dutchman's breeches, bloodroot,
saxifrage and trailing arbutus. Gaze down paths lined with Solomon's seal, bellwort and spring beauty, or
let your eyes wander through a haze of greens and yellows as leaves break their winter dormancy and begin
to color the forest.

Raven Rock has a diverse topography. Along the river are high bluffs and low floodplains. Some of the
largest trees in the park are found in the floodplain where common species include river birch, beech and
sycamore. The river bluffs and cool, moist ravines are home to mountain laurel and rhododendron, as well as
elm and red maple. The flat, dry uplands are characterized by pine and oak/hickory forests where sourwood,
dogwood and blueberry comprise the understory.

The many streams of Raven Rock create an ideal habitat for aquatic invertebrates and fish. Salamanders are
particularly at home along the river bluffs. The Piedmont forest is home to many reptiles. Spotted turtles
live in small streams and larger turtles, such as the yellowbelly slider and the snapping turtle, are found
in the river. Lizards such as the Carolina anole, fence lizard and skink also inhabit the forest. Among the
many harmless snakes found in the park are the northern water snake, rat snake and the eastern hognose
snake. Though rarely encountered, the venomous copperhead also resides in the park. Exercise caution when
on park trails.

The spring migratory season brings many species of birds to the park. At the peak of the season, it is
possible to see as many as 20 species of warblers in a single day. Wood ducks nest in hollow trees along
the river and many other species such as hawks, owls and woodpeckers are also found.

Mammals in the park include white-tailed deer and eastern cottontails. Weasels, raccoons, mice and shrews
inhabit the woodlands while beavers and muskrats are at home along rivers and creeks. Several species of
bats may be seen as they hunt for insects.